Suitcase



C. DOBYNS Dec. 27, 1955 SUITCASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1953 INVENTOR.

Cordelia Dob TLS.

JTTORNEIJ',

C. DOBYNS Dec. 27, 1955 SUITCASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1953 INVENTOR.

ro ml C'ordeLicLDobS S ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent SUITCASE Cordelia Dobyns, Azusa, Calif.

Application July 22, 1953, Serial No. 369,663 6 Claims. (Cl. 190-43) The present invention relates to suitcases and particularly to collapsible suitcases.

More particularly still the invention relates to a collapsible suitcase having a framework which may be folded to occupy a very small space for storage and which when in use is covered with a fabric casing or cover which may likewise be folded when removed from the framework and stored in a very small space. Moreover, due to the removability of the cover the cover may readily be washed or otherwise cleaned and the entire device thus readily stored and readily cleaned.

It is an object of the invention to suitcase.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a collapsible suitcase arranged so that the casing member thereof may be removed from the frame and the frame thereupon folded to substantially flat condition for storage or for transportation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a collapsible suitcase having a fabric casing member which may be removed from the collapsible framework for washing or cleaning, storage or transportation.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the annexed drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible suitcase of my invention as set up for use. This View shows the suitcase in its closed condition;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1, showing the suitcase lying on one of its larger sides and showing the top open as the case would appear when ready to be packed;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible framework showing that framework in the position which it would assume when in use;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the framework of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the framework of Figures 3 and 4, the view being taken on the plane of the line 55 of Figure 4. This view shows in full lines the framework in its partially collapsed condition and in dotted lines the framework in its open condition.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 3, 4 and 5 thereof, there is shown a framework comprising the two frame members and 11. The frame member 10 consists of a pair of horizontally extending angle members 12 and 13 joined by the diagonally extending end members 14 and 15. Similarly the frame member 11 comprises the horizontally extending angles 16 and 17 joined at their ends by the diagonally extending members 13 and 26. Frame members 19 and 11 are pivotally interconnected by means of the rivets or other suitable fastenings 21 and 22, the rivet 21 extending through apertures located centrally of members 14 and 18 and rivet 22 extending through apertures located centrally in members and 20.

Fixed to the frame member 12, adjacent the ends thereprovide a collapsible of, are two brackets 23 and 24. In like manner, fixed to the member 16 adjacent its ends and respectively opposite the brackets 23 and 24, are the two brackets 25 and 26. Pivotally mounted on bracket 23 is a link 27 and opposite the link 27 and pivotally mounted on the bracket 25 is a similar link 28. In like manner at the opposite end of the suitcase there is pivotally mounted on the bracket 24 a link 30 and pivotally mounted on the bracket 26 a link 31. A bar or rod 29 extends longitudinally of the framework between the members 12 and 16 thereof, this member extending through apertures in the links 27, 28, 30, 31, and forming pivotal connections between the pairs of links 27, 28 and 30, 31. Links 27, 28, 30, 31 are made of angle stock, the base of the angle members 27 and 30 being cut away at 32 and 33 as indicated in Figures 4 and 5 in order to permit the pivoting above-mentioned. Likewise, the bases of members 28 and 31 are cut away as indicated at 34 and 35 in order to permit the base portion of the cooperating member 27 or 30 as the case may be to fit against the side of these members. Pivotally mounted on the remaining base portions 36 and 37 of the members 28 and 31 are the latch members 38 and 40. These latch members when in the position shown in Figure 4 permit the framework to be collapsed pivoting about the pivots 21 and 22. At this time the links 27, 30, 28, 31 are free to pivot about the rod 29 as well as about their pivotal connections to the brackets 23, 25, 24, 26 so that the framework can be completely collapsed into a substantially flat condition.

When the framework has been opened as shown in 27, 28, 3t 31 about the pivots previously mentioned and thereby keeping the framework open and rigid.

Preferably all of the frame members heretofore described are of suitable strong light material such for example as aluminum or magnesium although the invention is not limited to the use of such material.

A casing generally designated 41 is provided, this casing consisting of a bottom 42, sides 43, 44, 45 and 46, and a top 47. The bottom 42 is permanently connected as by sewing to the sides 43 through 46, it being noted that these sides are formed of a continuous piece of material having its ends joined at 43, Figure 1. The top 47 is fixed to the side 44 along one edge thereof in any suitable manner, such for example as by sewing, and the free edges of the top 47 together with the adjacent edges of the sides 43, 45 and 46 are provided with a suitable form of closure member which, in the present instance, has been shown as a zipper fastener 56.

As is clearly shown in Figure l, the framework may be inserted within the casing 41 and after being so inserted a handle 51 may be positioned on one side 46 of the casing, the handle being fastened to the framework by means of the machine screws 52 and 53 which extend through the handle ends, through holes in the casing side 46 and through apertures 54 and 55 in the bar 29. A wing nut 56 is then threaded onto the screw 52 and a similar wing nut 57 threaded onto the screw 53 thereby fastening the handle securely to the framework.

In order to assure that the clothing or other articles packed in the suitcase will not come into contact with the metallic framework, the cover member has fixed thereto a plurality of lining members which fold within the assembled suitcase and overlie the frame members. Thus there is stitched or otherwise suitably fastened to the free edge of the side 43 a lining member 58 which extends over the frame member, down the side 43 of the suitcase and thence across the bottom 42. Similarly, a lining member 60 is fixed to the free edge of the side 45 and extends within the frame members down the side and thence partially across I the bottom 42. A third lining member 61 is fastened to the free edge of the side 46 and extends within the framework downwardly and thence across the bottom 42, and a fourth lining member is fixed to the top 47 at the juncture thereof with the side member 44, this fourth lining member being designated 62 and being adapted to extend within the frame member down the side 44 and thence across the bottom 42 overlying the lining member 61.

The casing 41 is preferably formed of a heavy duty textile material such for example as denim or canvas and the lining members are preferably formed of lightweight material such as cotton. It will of course be clear that both the casing and the lining members may be differently organized, while still serving their intended purposes, and that many other modifications of the invention might be made. I wish therefore to be limited not by the foregoing description but, on the contrary, solely by the claims granted to me.

What is claimed is:

l. A collapsible suitcase comprising, in combination, a pair of rectangular frames, means pivotally interconnecting said frames at points located centrally of the end members thereof, said frames when in open position outlining a rectangular parallelepiped, a removable casing in the form of a substantially similar rectangular parallelepiped, said casing having an openable top, said top being permanently connected to the adjacent edge of one adjoining side and removably connected to the adjacent edges of the remaining three adjoining sides whereby said casing ill may be placed over said frames and thereafter closed thereabout, a pair of links pivotally mounted on corresponding sides of each of said rectangular frames, each link of one frame being pivotally connected to a corresponding link of the other frame, and latching means engageable with said links for holding said links of a pair in alignment one with another thereby retaining the frames in open position.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said links are formed of angle stock, the base of the angle of those links mounted on one frame being cut away, and said latching means comprise plates fixed to the links pivoted to the other frame, said plates being rotatable to underlie the base of the angle of said first-mentioned links thereby preventing pivotal movement thereof.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the links of each of said pairs of links are pivotally interconnected by means of a bar extending substantially centrally of said frame sides and extending through apertures in the free ends of all said links.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said bar is provided with holes therein and a handle is provided having fastening means which extend through.

said casing and through said apertures in said bar.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said fastening means comprise screws extending through said holes in said bar, said screws being provided with wing nuts which clamp the handle against said bar.

6. A collapsible suitcase comprising, in combination, a pair of rectangular frames, means pivotally interconnecting said frames at points located centrally of the end members thereof, means for latching said frames in open position outlining a rectangular parallelepiped, a removable casing means in the form of a substantially similar rectangular parallelepiped, said casing having an openable top, said top being permanently connected to the adjacent edge of one adjoining side and removably connected to the adjacent edges of the remaining three adjoining sides whereby said casing may be placed over said frames and thereafter closed thereabout, and a lining member aflixed to the free edge of each of said three sides, said lining members being adapted to extend down the sides and partially across the bottom, and further characterized in that a fourth lining member is affixed at the juncture of the fourth side and said top, said fourth lining member extending down the adjacent side and partially across the bottom, all said lining members extending on the interior of said rectangular frames thereby preventing contact of the contents of said suitcase with said frames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,559,942 Dempsey Nov. 3, 1925 1,802,147 Hansburg Apr. 21, 1931 2,016,520 Short Oct. 8, 1935 2,062,237 Schwartz Nov. 24, 1936 2,2l5,l3l Page Sept. 17, 1940 

